Artist Rests from Hectic Schedule

I’ve always found solace and comfort in nature no matter how tough the distress or tension, a few moments of quiet, gazing at the beauty of creation and I’m restored. Such was the case last Monday. The Holiday Food and Gift Show was unusually difficult, even though we took great measures to make things easier.

My husband, Bob, has shellfish allergies and becomes very ill if he consumes even a trace of these tasty crustaceans. We ordered baked halibut Saturday night and within hours he was violently sick. It was clear that the kitchen had used poor food handling and cross-contamination had occurred. I stayed up with him all night, finally falling asleep near 4:00AM. Sunday I worked the booth alone, Bob was exhausted. The event staff helped me tear down the booth and load the cargo trailer, I dreaded the drive home with falling snow in the dark. We arrived home safely, very tired and fell into bed.

In the morning I woke to the stunning sight of a fresh snowfall. All day I rested, working leisurely, sharing time between catching up the art business and gazing out the windows at the gorgeous miracle of new fallen snow. Slowly my fatigue disappeared, replaced with a peaceful contentment. Soon all was well again in my world. What a difference a day makes.

And then as the sun set, everything even got better!

Gail Niebrugge, Alaska landscape artist